Masks-optional policies put schools at risk

Before we could reach what felt like the end of a long road, the court battle instigated by "pro-choice" parents triggered battles in our schools among students. We all hope that another COVID variant won't emerge and paralyze schools again. However, decisions that are made today about masking will set precedent for future mitigation options.

I have seen many "parental rights" arguments that students should be able to choose not to wear a mask because students who are at risk can wear a high-quality mask to protect themselves. I believe this is a valid argument. However, the pro-choice argument frames masking as a personal health choice only. By ignoring masks' role in mitigating future virus outbreaks, a pro-choice mask adoption policy has the potential to jeopardize schools' ability to remain open and functional. By default, we will be stuck with a voluntary participation mitigation plan.

"Choose your own rules" masking has been tested and failed. Hundreds of schools that attempted to allow mask choice subsequently had to close because so many staff were sick that they couldn't open safely. Some schools attempted to stay open but learning was disrupted because large percentages of students were out sick and class time was used for re-teaching.

We, as a community may not agree on where exactly lines should be drawn when determining how, when and what type of mitigation tools and strategies should be implemented. We can all agree that our No. 1 priority is for schools to remain open. If future variants threaten to close schools, our best defense is a solid mitigation plan. If tools in that plan are optional, it is doomed to fail. No one likes having their children masked, but the majority prefer masking to school closures. Let's hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Joan Sherrill

Palatine